Bicycle tube-clamp.



No. 653,243. Patented My ID, I900. P. HUSSEY.

BICYCLE TUBE CLAMP.

(Application filed Septrfili, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATRICK L. HUSSEY,

OF DAYTON, OHIO.

BICYCLE TUBE-CLAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 653,243, dated my 10, 1900.

Application filed September 25, 1899. Serial 7 (N0 m-odel-l To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PATRICK L. I-IUssEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Bicycle Tube-Clamps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bicycles, and has particular reference to the handle-bar and stem, as hereinafter fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which--- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation through the handle-bar and stem. Fig. 2 is a section taken on a plane at a right angle to Fig. 1 through the longitudinal center. Fig. 3 is a section through the upper end of the handlebar stem, showing a modification in the means for attaching the handlebar. Fig. 4 is a top view of the central portion of the handle-bar. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the lower end of the handle-bar stern. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line w 00 of Fig. 2 looking up. Fig. 7 is a View showing one-half of the handle-bar clamp. Fig. 8 is a top View of the stem as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 9, views of the clamp and washer used in connection with the stem shown in Fig. 3 5 Fig. 10, an end view of the expander and contractor.

The said invention has specific reference to means for frictionally binding the handlebar tube to the fork-tube or the saddle-post in the frame of the bicycle.

1 designates a clamp which is split or divided through its longitudinal center on one side and is adapted to compress the central portion of the handle-bar 2. The split side of the clamp 1 terminates in an eye 3, which fits over the top of the tube against the shoulder 5.

6 is a pin projecting from the upperend of the tube 4 and penetrating an opening 7 in the clamp. This pin prevents the clamp and handle-bar from turninglaterally on the tube.

4 and binds The clamp is secured in position on the tube by a nut 8, which screws onto the reduced end of the tube and binds the said clamp against the shoulder 5. Other means are shown in Figs. 3 and 9 for preventing the said clamp from turning on the tube, which consist of tapering the metal surrounding the eye of the clamp, as at '10, and correspond- 6o ingly tapering the shoulder onthe tube, as at 11, and in further providing a screw-washer 12, which fits into the upper side of the eye and conforms to the taper thereof.

The parts when tightened bind by friction against the shoulder on the tube. On changing the handle-bar from a drop to a raised position, and vice versa, the nut 8 is removed and the' clamp with the handle-bar is lifted off the tube and replaced in a reversed position, and said nut is then replaced and retightened. This change in the positions of the handle-bardoes not alter the relative positions of said handle-bar and the seat. The handle-bar may thus be supported in a raised or lowered position, either forward or in the rear of the handle-bar tube. The change from the forward to the rearward positions would of course vary the distance of the handle-bar from the seat; but changing from a drop to a raised bar, and vice versa, in either case would not interfere with the relative positions of the handle-bar and tube 4. When the clamp is secured to the tube,

the handle-bar is tightly compressed by said 8 5 clamp and the connection between the two is most secure. The tube is secured in position in the fork-tube 13 by an internal expander and contractor consisting of a wedge-shaped block 14, which lies across the interior of the 0 stem with its ends projected into openings 15 cut in the opposite sides of the stem.

As shown in Figs. 1' and 5, the shape of the openings 15 corresponds to the shape of the block 14;but said openings are essentially 5 somewhat larger than the block in order that the latter may move up and down therein to expand or contract the tube 4, as the case may be. The dotted lines on each side of the tube, Fig. 5, indicate the expansion and contraction lines of the slotted portion of the tube 4 under such movement. The tube 011 both sides is provided with longitudinal slots 16 and 17, which extend from the openings by the nut 8 65 15. The lower slot 17, it will be seen, does not extend entirely to the lower end of the tube. This is essential, as the tube may always enter the head of the bicycle without difficulty, which would be otherwise it said lower slots extended entirely through to the end of said tube, for reasons which are apparent. The tube is expanded to bind it by the tapering sides 18 of the block engaging the corresponding sides of the openings 15 when said block is moved down, and the necessary contraction is given said tube to release said engagement by the inner tapering sides 19 of the block engaging with the corresponding sides 20 of said opening on the upward movement of said block, the downward movement expanding and the upward movement contracting the tube.

The block 14 is properly secured to the lower end of a rod 21, the upper portion of which has a screw-threaded engagement with the upper end of the tube and terminates in an integral head or nut 22 above the extreme upper end of the stem, by means of which the said rod may be screwed up or down to impart the necessary movement to the block without interfering with the clamp or nut securing the handlebar.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a bicycle, the combination of a tube having openings on opposite sides, the said openings having inner and outer tapering sides, slots extending longitudinally on opposite sides of the tube and terminating at said openings, a biock inclosed within said tube and conforming to the shape of the openings, in cross-section, and a rod to which said block is connected and by means of which said block is moved in either direction to expand or contract the tube, substantially as described.

2. In a bicycle, the combination of a tube having uniform openings on opposite sides, said openings having inner and outer tapering sides, slots extending longitudinally above and below said openings, the lower slot being terminated at a point above the lower extremity of the tube, a block inclosed within said tubes with its ends projected into the openings therein, the said block having inner and outer contraction and expansion surfaces which engage with the similar surface of the said openings, and a rod to which said block is secured, the said rod projecting above the upper end of the tube, whereby the block may beraised or lowered in the tube to contract or expand said tube, substantially as described.

3. In a bicycle, the combination of a tube having the upper end thereof reduced, made solid and provided with a screw-threaded opening, said reduced portion being adapted to receive a handle-bar clamp, and tapering slots 011 opposite sides in the lower portion of said tube, with slots extending from said tapering openings, an expansion-block inclosed within said tube with its ends projected into said tapering openings, and a rod having its lower ends attached to said expansion-block, and the upper end of said rod having a screwthreaded engagement with the solid screwthreaded end of the stem, and a rigid head on said rod by means of which said rod may be moved up or down to raise or lower the expansion-block, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PATRICK L. IIUSSEY.

Witnesses:

R. J. MOOARTY, CARL H. Non. 

